Crystal detector



June 29 1926. 1,590,236

H. GERNSB ACK CRYSTAL DETECTOR Filed Sept. 18. 1924 Patented June 29, 1926.

UNITED STATES HUGO GERNSBACK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CRYSTAL Application filed September This invention relates to crystal detectors for radio receiving sets, and more particularly to an improved construction of detector by means of which maximum efliciency may be obtained.

In prior construction of crystal detectors, it has been very difiicult to obtain a simple device in which the feeler element can cover every point of the crystal.

In the present invention, the crystal cup is eccentrically mounted and is also adjustable longitudinally of the base to permit the feeler element to engage any desired point on the crystal.

An object of the invention is to provide a device having a steel tension spring with a sharpened point that contacts with the crystal and serves as a feeler element or cats whisker.

A further object is the provision of a construction in which the crystal cup is mounted on a spring platform whereby the tension of the crystal may be regulated as desired by the operator.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a perspective View,

Figure 2 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view,

Figure 3 is a plan view,

Figure 4 is a detail view of the spring support and crystal cup detached from the base of the implement, and,

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 55 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the base of the instrument, which is formed of any suitable insulating material, and is provided with a pair of binding posts 2 to which the lead wires are connected. A post 3 is mounted on the base substantially centrally the-reof and the front of the post is under-cut, as at 4:. A spring 5 is secured to the rear portion of the post by means of a screw 6 and an adjusting screw 2 passes through the spring and is received in a threaded opening in the under-cut portion of the post. As shown, this adjusting screw is provided with a suitable handle 8. The forward end of the spring is extended downwardly and is provided with a sharpened end 9 A supporting spring platform 10 is secured to the base forwardly of the post by means of a DETECTOR.

18, 1924. Serial No. 738,540.

suitable fastening element 11, and this spring is provided with an elongated slot 12.

A crystal cup 13 is supported on the platform, the cup being provided with an eccentrically arranged threaded opening 14-, in the base thereof, adapted to receive a set screw 15 passing through the slot 12. A mounted crystal 16 is adapted to be arranged within the cup and is retained in position by means of a set screw 17 passing through the wall of the cup which also serves as a handle for swinging the cup on the pin 15.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description. Pressure is obtained on the feeler element 9 by means of the set screw 7 which may be regulated through the handle 8. The device may be adjusted around the pin 15 as a pivot by swinging the handle 17 to either side, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3 of the drawings. The entire crystal cup may also be adjusted longitudinally of the base by moving the pin 15 in the slot 12. The support of the crystal cup on the so spring 10- provides a construction by means of whiclrthe tension on, the cup may be regulated as desired by the operator. It will be apparent that the point 9 may be brought into contact with any point on the crystal 16 by making the proper adjustment.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size,and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

I claim:

In a device of the character described, a base, a post mounted on said base, a spring carried by said post, said spring being provided with a down-turned pointed end adapted to serve as a feeler element, a spring 100 arm mounted 011 said base, said arm being provided with an elongated slot, a crystal cup arranged over said arm, said cup being provided with an eccentric opening, and a fastening element extending through said slot and entering said opening.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

HUGO GERNSBAGK. 

